Once you have made it to the end of Baldur’s Gate 3 after facing so many deadly enemies, making complex choices, and barely surviving some encounters, you are now finally against the Elder Brain appearing out of water in the Morphic Pool, the mastermind influencing everyone including Mind Flayers and Tadpoles. It is the final main quest in Act 3 that leads you to one of the many possible exciting game finishes. It’s one of the most key scenarios in the game, your choice decides what Baldur’s Gate 3 ending you will see.
Should you destroy or control the Elder Brain in BG3? Each choice has its consequences, leaving you to analyze the moral and practical implications of becoming the ruler of an army of Mind Flayers or freeing yourself from the Elder Brain once and for all. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide to set a path for your ending in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What Happens If You Control the Elder Brain in Baldur’s Gate 3?
By taking control of the Elder Brain in BG3, the power is in your hands—or tentacles, as per your decisions so far. If you’ve sided with the Emperor and allow him to use the Netherstones. You will have three dialogue options to choose from, you can choose to kill the brain or pass one of two DC checks of 20 to persuade the Emperor to get control over Elder Brain. The successful check pass results in the Emperor and you sharing the rule with full control.
But if you free Orpheus and help him (and he is taken on the Mind Flayer form), or have volunteered your main character or even Karlach for the transformation into Mind Flayer, control over the Elder Brain falls to your side. You can take control of Brain yourself by holding Netherstones yourself otherwise no matter who uses them among both these NPCs, you need to pass a check of 12 to succeed. If you choose to side with Orpheus, you must remember that he wants to destroy the Elder Brain so there is no ruling chance here. You get a third option of Melee Attack that results in attacking and finishing these characters to take control by yourself. Obviously, it will anger a few party members but you have to face this as it’s your own decision.
If you fail in passing successful checks when either side with Emperor or free Orpheus, it will result in game’s ending where Elden Brain is destroyed. So, you must pass difficuilt checks to control the brain.
Let’s say that controlling the Elder Brain doesn’t exactly make for a “happily ever after.” For me, after letting Karlach turn into Mind Flayer, things took a dark turn. As the new “Absolute,” I watched Karlach now in her monstrous form and killing her myself. Baldur’s Gate, the city we fought so hard to protect, didn’t stand a chance. Just like that, the game was over, my character becoming the puppet master of the Netherbrain, and the city in ruins below. It’s a bittersweet victory, leaning heavily into the tragedy, and frankly, it was a tough choice to watch play out. But for curiosity, you can see what happens in different choices and load the previous save to go with the final ending.
What Happens If You Destroy the Elder Brain in Baldur’s Gate 3?
To destroy the Elder Brain is to deliver a decisive blow to the creature responsible for manipulating and risking the lives of many, including your own. The first time you get the option to either control or destroy Elden Brain is when the Emperor or Orpheus uses the Netherstones. You need to pass a very hard check to take control of the situation. If you defeat the Netherbrain, it falls into the waters surrounding Baldur’s Gate, giving relief across the city. The Mind Flayers now cut off from their master, are overpowered by the Githyanki and the ones fighting to defend the BG city.
Destroying the Elder Brain opens up the most satisfying set of reflections from your party members with every character now discussing how things are turned and thinking about the future. Lae’zel makes an important decision regarding her allegiance to Vlaakith. With the Elder Brain gone, she has a chance to step out of her rigid Githyanki role and chart a different path. Karlach will face a more tragic fate depending on her form; she will be dead if you do not allow her to become Mind Flayer. And Astarion, if he’s still his vampiric self, may find the sun isn’t as welcoming as he hoped.
In destroying the Elder Brain, you and your companions have achieved a good victory not only for yourselves but for Baldur’s Gate city and everyone affected by the Netherbrains’s influence.
Should I Destroy or Control the Elder Brain in BG3?
The decision hinges on what you want to experience, you can choose to destroy the brain to see what fates your companions have after that conflict. There are reflections and choices in going that way. For me, destroying the Elder Brain has a fulfillment sense and a BG3 ending worthy of the interesting journey. There’s satisfaction in ending the tyrannical threat and witnessing the results of the choice in the city free from the control of the bad creature, though it results in a few loose ends and farewells along the way.
On the other hand, controlling the Elder Brain is a bold move that leads to a somewhat darker ending. Your character wields huge power with control of the brain with a smashed city. Despite the cost, it is a powerful way to wrap up the game’s storyline however, it cuts short a few most touching character moments and sacrifices.
In short, if you’ve been fighting tooth and nail to free Baldur’s Gate and ensure a future for its people, destroying the Elder Brain is the best choice. But to experience the leader’s path and want to see how far your character is willing to go, it’s interesting to be the head of the Netherbrain and see what you have upfront.
How to Confront the Elder Brain
After acquiring both Orin’s and Gortash’s Netherstones, make your way to the Morphic Pool. Prepare by gathering allies, as the final fight benefits a lot from the “Gather Your Allies” quest—any saved characters and allies will make a big difference here.
Once ready, head through the Undercity Ruins and into the Morphic Pool Dock. After a cutscene and the chance to save one last time, you’ll face the Elder Brain’s mind-bending influence, requiring mental checks and challenges along the way. Eventually, there is a face-to-face with the enemy who has now turned into Netherbrain. Depending on the choice you make, the game will end in one of the multiple possible outcomes.
If you’re relying on AOE spells to combat Intellect Devourers or using powerful healing potions, be sure to go into the fight well-stocked. If Gale is in your party, he offers a shortcut with a sacrificial spell, which can end the fight in one quick (if heartbreaking) moment. Since Gale carries the Netherese orb (a ticking magical bomb that could take down just about anything), he can destroy the brain in one go. You can ask him to activate the orb that results in a massive detonation powerful enough to wipe out the Elder Brain and the entire Illithid threat.
He’ll sneak into the Netherbrain’s lair and blast the Netherese orb right in its midst. The whole party gets teleported to safety right before the explosion, so everyone will be safe. This sacrifice results in an emotional ending, particularly if he’s been a core member of your party. It’s tragic, of course, but also gives Gale a redemption arc right for his character.
